Commission Minutes-January 19 – January 23, 2026
MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026
COURTHOUSE CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
5:30 PM – ATTEND 4-H COUNCIL MEETING – FAIRGROUNDS EXHIBIT HALL
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members;
Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
The Pledge of Allegiance was held in the Commissioner’s Office to start off the week.
9:30 AM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
9:45 AM Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent and Carl Overland, Shop Mechanic joined the meeting.
9:45 AM LOWER BAKER DAM UPDATES/ Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
1. Review EAP contacts for flood or high flow events
Discussed contacts for resources and equipment in case of emergencies. Discussed including local businesses; will draft Memorandum of Understandings for the local businesses. DES will stock the Road Department with empty sandbags to fill. Discussed purchasing a commercial pump. Discussed lack of certified divers in the immediate area.
10:00 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:05 AM ROAD UPDATES/ Bryan Batchelor, Road Superintendent; Carl Overland and/or Mitch Overn, Shop Mechanic
Reported on road maintenance for Fletcher Creek Trail and Runway Trail. Removing downed trees on Division Road and Sandstone Road. Updated on quarterly bridge report; will install traffic signs for the box culverts. Discussed using credit cards for emergency settings. Discussed getting an estimate for a large commercial pump. Carl reported on equipment maintenance.
10:15 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:17 AM PARKVIEW UPDATES/ Derrick deHaan, Outside Maintenance Facilities Manager
Parkview’s carpet is almost complete; currently waiting for threshold to be shipped. Updated on glycol tests for the Parkview boilers; tests came back above specifications, so warranty maintenance is not possible. Discussed repairing the current boiler with the parts from the boiler that is out of commission.
10:26 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:37 AM PROJECT UPDATES/ Shannon Hewson, Brosz Engineering
Updated on South 6th Street permitting and bid process for a box culvert.
10:43 AM Cindy Irgens, Recording Clerk joined the meeting.
Reviewed drafted Road Plat cover sheet. Discussed what information will be included strictly in the road map book and what will be included on the GIS mapping layers.
10:55 AM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
10:59 AM MACo HEALTH CARE TRUST PRESENTATION/ Pam Walling, MACo Representative; Insurance Committee
Reviewed MACo plans and options for County insurance; benefits of self-insurance or an insurance plan. Hospital does have the option to remain on the County insurance plan.
12:11 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Recess until 1:15 PM.
NOON RECESS
1:15 PM RECONVENE
PRESENT: Kevin Braun, Chairman; Roy Rost and Mandi Varner, Members;
Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
FALLON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
1:15 PM AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS – PUBLIC COMMENT
No one appeared for Public Comment.
1:29 PM COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK SESSION/ Darcy Wassmann
1. Old Business as needed
Discussed deeds for the Plevna Rural Fire District property.
2. Closed Session – Thielen Litigation (IF NEEDED)
Reported on discovery investigation deadline approaching; currently completing research.
1:34 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:00 PM Karol Zachmann, Friends of FMC Foundation Representative joined the meeting.
2:00 PM FAIRGROUND UPDATES/ Jennefer Wheeler, Fairgrounds Manager; Dale Butori, Fair Board Member; Alissa Miller, Chamber Executive Director
1. Discussion/Decision on Fourth of July events
Jennefer reported on the Fair Board wanting to sponsor a concert to be held at the lake. Would pull the stage and set it on Lakeview Drive; discussed best place to set the stage and how to close the road. The band could utilize the Amphitheatre and generator if it rains. The Fair Board will present a proposal at a later date. Reported on events that would be held on Fourth of July weekend. Dale asked the Commission if they would be interested in contributing more money to the fireworks for the 250th Anniversary; decision will be made next week.
2:26 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:30 PM PERMISSION TO HIRE/ Brenda Hoeger, Emergency Communications Supervisor; Lee Strait, Library Board Chairman; Julie Straub, HRM
1. Permission to hire Emergency Communications Dispatchers
Commissioner Varner motioned to hire Taylor Honabach for the 40-hour position and Kodie Olsen for the 36-hour position; discussed start dates. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Permission to hire Director of Library Services
Commissioner Rost motioned to hire Hillary Frank for the Library Director, starting intermittently for training purposes until June. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2:38 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
2:45 PM TV BOARD UPDATES/ Wayne Mangold, Board Member; Randy Morris, Board Member; Josh Lewis, IT Director; Desiree Thielen, Planner & DES Coordinator
Randy and Desiree were unable to attend the meeting. Reported on service agreements with Ekalaka and Terry. Discussed current issues with channels; windstorms have downed several signals. Rapid City and Miles City signals are also too weak to receive; will contact stations to confirm. Discussed setting up an internet connection with Rapid City to avoid further weather interference. Discussed antennas needed to cover most of Fallon County.
3:15 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:17 PM MUSEUM UPDATES/ Vaughn Zenko, Museum Curator
Vaughn presented an annual report for 2025 and strategic plan for 2026. Updated on upcoming events for the community and the schools. Discussed subscribing to an online instrumental grant program.
1. Permission to reimburse the O’Fallon Historical Society for Instrumentl subscription with Museum Donation Funds
Decision will be made during next week’s work session.
3:34 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:30 PM SHERIFF UPDATES/ Trenton Harbaugh, Sheriff
Reported on looking for a grant to fund for next budget year’s vehicles. Recommended selling the used vehicles to counties that are in need of them. Undersheriff Eisle’s vehicle is outdated and is out of warranty work.
1. Permission to purchase Sheriff vehicle
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the purchase of a new Sheriff vehicle. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3:39 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion.
3:45 PM COMMISSION WORK SESSION
1. Approve January 12-16, 2026 Commission Minutes
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the January 12-16, 2026 Commission Minutes. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Approve January 12, 2026 Closed Session Commission Minutes
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the January 12, 2026 Closed Session Commission Minutes. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Executive Decisions
a. Discussion/Decision on Request for Proposals to Fallon Medical Complex renovations
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve Request for Proposals #008 – #012 for the total amount of $4,637.54. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Discussion/Decision on renewing Montana Infrastructure Coalition membership
The Commission has decided against renewing the Montana Infrastructure Coalition membership.
4. Old Business as needed
a. Discussion/Decision on Architectural Design Services Proposals for an EMS Facility
Decision tabled to see if there are grants available for the PAR or if it is possible to do in-house.
b. Discussion/Decision on Letter of Support for the SMART and the Montana Tourism Development Grant
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the Letter of Support for SMART. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Discussion/Decision on additional cameras for the courthouse
Discussed going through Verkada or Alibi Camera System.
Commissioner Rost motioned to approve the DIS Technologies (Alibi Vigilant) quote for the amount of $9,149.88. Commissioner Varner seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Review Department/office reports/sign journal vouchers/encroachments/zoning compliance (as needed)
6. Approve January 2026 Mid-Month Claims
Commissioner Varner motioned to approve the January 2026 Mid-Month Claims for the amount of $627,233.41. Commissioner Rost seconded the motion. Commissioner Braun asked for any further discussion; being none. 3 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously.
4:09 PM Chairman Braun ended the discussion. Being as there was no further business; meeting adjourned.
ADJOURN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026
2:30 PM – ATTEND SANITARIAN INTERVIEWS
s/Kevin J. Braun, Chairman
s/Megan Slagter, Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
s/Brenda J. Wood, Clerk & Recorder
